Social media blamed for rise in self-harm among young

CHILD psychiatrists have voiced alarm at a sharp rise in self-harm by young people since the advent of social media.

National research shows a tripling in poisonings via paracetamol and antidepressants among those between 10 and 24 in the UK between 1998 and 2014.

The figures come amid concerns about “an epidemic of mental illness” among young people, with the internet fuelling insecurity, anxiety and copycat behaviour.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham said they were particularly worried about rising cases among girls aged 10 to 15, with a doubling in paracetamol

‘Comparisons around body image on social media are likely to be affecting girls more than boys’

poisonings in the last two years. They tracked 1.7million UK patients aged 10 to 24 from 1998 onwards, using GP and hospital records. The study suggests around one in seven children and young people have attempted self-harm or suicide, most commonly by taking high quantities of drugs such as paracetamol.

Researchers urged pharmacists to be far more cautious when selling overthe-counter drugs. They also warned GPS to keep a close eye on any young patients prescribed opioid-based drugs, with poisonings rising five-fold over the period.

Dr Bernadka Dubicka, chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ child and adolescent faculty, said: “The findings are very troubling. Comparisons around body image on social media are likely to be affecting girls more than boys and this could have contributed to this rise in self-poisoning.

“But this is just one of a number of potential factors behind the rise, which include academic pressures and worries about the future. Services are overwhelmed and the number of child psychiatrists has fallen.”

The head of the NHS has expressed concern about an epidemic of mental ill-health fuelled by social media, backing The Daily Telegraph’s campaign for a “duty of care” with more robust regulation of sites like Facebook and Instagram. The research is published in the British Journal of General Practice.